Picture Tutorial:
Turning a Sylvanian Families Toy Canal Boat into a 28mm Victorian/Pulp Naval Steamboat.
I have wanted a steamboat in my games for a very long time; actually, ever since I spotted a really inspirational wargame blog depicting semi fantasy Victorian battle report, lavishly illustrated with photographs and miniatures. The game featured a couple of platoons of British red coats landing on the jungle covered shore line of some unnamed island to investigate this strange temple structure. Suddenly they were attacked by wave upon wave of giant (plastic) spiders, and had to make a terrifying fighting retreat back to their steamship. The whole thing felt like something from HP Lovecraft and could easily have fitted into the Cthulhu mythos. I was drawn in by the whole storyline and by the lavish photography throughout... but most inspiring of all (to me) was the home made steam boat which dominated the plot.
Since then, over the last few years, I have tentatively looked around on game show stands, or on line at various model kits, and I have read a few tutorials on making a steam boat for myself; but always I have been dissuaded, either by the cost or the difficulty involved.
... until now.
Having returned to my love of all things Victorian: from colonial skirmish wargaming, whimsical role playing storylines, to full on hardcore Steampunk, I suppose it was only natural once I started this site that my interest would once again be stirred at the idea of making a vessel for my games.
And so I finally decided to take the bull by the horns and make a start.
As it happens, I was in Bantry the other day and spotted a plastic toy boat in the shop window, and suddenly my mind went into overdrive... careening with enthused ideas. As I stood staring like an idiot, I didn't see a child`s toy in the window. I saw a converted military navel vessel bristling with guns and Victorian marines, rolling up to the shore line and preparing to engage imaginary fantasy world natives hiding elusively at the edge of the jungle treeline.
The price tag on the model boat was rather high, but I just had to have it. It was a "Sylvanian Families" toy: very collectible, and at the top notch end of the children`s toy range. But I have an amazing partner, who knows (and tolerates) my passion for gaming, who suggested she buy it for me as an early Birthday present.
I could hardly suppress my enthusiasm as we walked in to the shop buy it. The lady behind the counter was almost apologetic as she told us the price tag... but my partner was quick to let the woman know "its a birthday present" I think more to stop me blurting out that the boat was for me as much as to reassure the woman that we didn`t mind and understood it was not exactly cheap.
When I got home and unpacked the toy, I was immediately struck just how lovingly made it was. Amazingly well packaged, and the attention to detail on the thing was incredible. It actually made me feel guilty that I was about to take the thing apart... smash it to bits, saw and hack through walls, and generally vandalize this magnificent toy beyond all previous usable recognition.
Since then, over the last few years, I have tentatively looked around on game show stands, or on line at various model kits, and I have read a few tutorials on making a steam boat for myself; but always I have been dissuaded, either by the cost or the difficulty involved.
... until now.
Having returned to my love of all things Victorian: from colonial skirmish wargaming, whimsical role playing storylines, to full on hardcore Steampunk, I suppose it was only natural once I started this site that my interest would once again be stirred at the idea of making a vessel for my games.
And so I finally decided to take the bull by the horns and make a start.
As it happens, I was in Bantry the other day and spotted a plastic toy boat in the shop window, and suddenly my mind went into overdrive... careening with enthused ideas. As I stood staring like an idiot, I didn't see a child`s toy in the window. I saw a converted military navel vessel bristling with guns and Victorian marines, rolling up to the shore line and preparing to engage imaginary fantasy world natives hiding elusively at the edge of the jungle treeline.
The price tag on the model boat was rather high, but I just had to have it. It was a "Sylvanian Families" toy: very collectible, and at the top notch end of the children`s toy range. But I have an amazing partner, who knows (and tolerates) my passion for gaming, who suggested she buy it for me as an early Birthday present.
I could hardly suppress my enthusiasm as we walked in to the shop buy it. The lady behind the counter was almost apologetic as she told us the price tag... but my partner was quick to let the woman know "its a birthday present" I think more to stop me blurting out that the boat was for me as much as to reassure the woman that we didn`t mind and understood it was not exactly cheap.
When I got home and unpacked the toy, I was immediately struck just how lovingly made it was. Amazingly well packaged, and the attention to detail on the thing was incredible. It actually made me feel guilty that I was about to take the thing apart... smash it to bits, saw and hack through walls, and generally vandalize this magnificent toy beyond all previous usable recognition.
The first thing I was going to have to do was change the scale of the boat to make it suitable for 28mm. I think the original toy was about the 45mm mark, so I was going to have to fool the eye into perceiving it differently than a small canal boat.
Oh my goodness, it looked terrible at this stage; and my lovely partner (who had always wanted to collect "Sylvanian Families" toys) was almost appalled at my desecration of this fine crafted collectible.
The photo above shows whats left after I pulled everything apart and re glued and pinned things where I needed them to be; and generally added bits of bottle tops, metal screws and bathroom odds and ends to the mix.
Finally, I was able to begin undercoating.
The photo above shows whats left after I pulled everything apart and re glued and pinned things where I needed them to be; and generally added bits of bottle tops, metal screws and bathroom odds and ends to the mix.
Finally, I was able to begin undercoating.
hmmm, the smoke stack looks wrong... time for a quick readjustment I think
Ah, that`s better.
Next, I need to add the gun decks (fore and aft) and the hand rails. Then I can start to add the fine details.
Can`t wait to start painting the thing.
Next, I need to add the gun decks (fore and aft) and the hand rails. Then I can start to add the fine details.
Can`t wait to start painting the thing.
20`s Navy Blue. Makes a nice striking statement.
Ahhh it feels good finally to be back to the project. The end is in sight, and I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel at this stage.
I have to finish the thing as it already stars at "Little Hellcat" in an ongoing mini campaign I have started elsewhere on another page of the site: http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php Where I left it, the vessel was waiting for a repaint at the naval shipyard at Me`Peu, and I can`t really write any more for that story until the boat is ready. So I will have to get to work modelling the finishing touches.
Oh the pain we suffer for our art ^^
I have to finish the thing as it already stars at "Little Hellcat" in an ongoing mini campaign I have started elsewhere on another page of the site: http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php Where I left it, the vessel was waiting for a repaint at the naval shipyard at Me`Peu, and I can`t really write any more for that story until the boat is ready. So I will have to get to work modelling the finishing touches.
Oh the pain we suffer for our art ^^
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Right, the next bit is a bit tedious... I have to make dozens and dozens of boxes, crates, satchels, sand bags, etc etc: each one hand made out of DAS clay. Then I can paint them. Best I make a start on these so they can harden first - zzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!